Wyse PCE

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Wyse PC Enhanced Keyboard
Wyse840362-01.jpg
Part number 840358-01, 840361-01, 900840-01, (-02, -03), 900866-01, (-02)
FCC ID DYD900840
Layouts 101 (ANSI), 102 (ISO)
Keyswitches Cherry MX Black
Interface Wyse proprietary (840358, 840361), AT (900840), PS/2 (900866)
Weight 1.6 kg

Wyse's "PC Enhanced Keyboard" ("PCE" on the label) is a keyboard series made for Wyse's terminals.

It has a layout inspired by the IBM Enhanced Keyboard, double-shot moulded keycaps and Cherry MX Black switches.

The manufacturer details are uncertain. One example has been found with a Silitek controller chip and Silitek model SK-8875 written on the PCB. The mounting plate is however stamped "WYSE TECHNOLOGY" and the product was registered with the FCC by Wyse themselves.[1]

Variations

There are several models in the series. There are two main variations: PC-compatible and terminal-only. There are also keyboards in both ANSI and ISO (UK) layouts, the latter with the name-suffix "INT'L" on the back sticker.

PC-compatible

The 900840 and 900866 are the only keyboard models made by Wyse that both have Cherry MX switches and speak the PS/2 protocol. The 900840 has an AT connector. The 900866 has a PS/2 connector. The number after a hyphen specifies the layout. The -01 models have ANSI (US) layout. The -02 models have ISO (UK) layout with a vertical Enter key.

Terminal only

Wyse 840362-01 "PCE INT'L" terminal keyboard

The 840358-1 and 840362-01 speak one of Wyse's proprietary terminal protocols over 4P4C modular cables. The terminal-only keyboards' case has a raised rectangle above the function keys where the case for the PC-compatible keyboards is flat.

The 840358-01 has ANSI layout, while the 840362-01's is ISO ("INT'L").


Construction

Cherry MX Black switches mounted in a steel plate. It has Cherry plate-mounted stabilizers except for the space bar, which has Cherry PCB-mounted stabilizers. The back of the PCB has an EM shield (aluminium on cardboard).

The case is slightly different on PS/2-compatible keyboards and terminal-only keyboards: the terminal-only keyboards have a raised rectangle above the function keys. The innards are interchangeable.

The cases are held together with bolts and brass fittings, not screws. The terminal-only models are considered to be somewhat sturdier.

Layout and keycaps

The layout is close to the IBM Enhanced Keyboard layout with modifier and letter keys in two shades of grey but with a few differences:

  • All function keys are dark grey. Vertical (ISO) Enter keys is light instead.
  • The space bar is 8 units wide (as opposed to 7).
  • The Ctrl keys are 2.5 units wide while Alt keys are only one unit wide, with no extra space in-between keys on the bottom row.
  • The F and J keys have a dot in the centre, like the 5 key on the numeric keypad.
  • There is also a Select key on the top right of the keyboard.

Like other Wyse keyboards with Cherry MX switches, all legends that appear black are actually dark blue. The arrows on the arrow keys are yellow. The keycaps are double-shot moulded ABS, thinner than on the Wyse ASCII Keyboard.

The keycaps are practically in Signature Plastics DCS family. They were made by Comptec before their moulds were acquired by Signature Plastics. Matching adapter kits have been made (see below).

Keycap replicas

SoWaRa

A group order to Signature Plastics made by a group within the Korean community OTD for modern keyboards with Windows keys.

However, the blue legends turned out to be light blue, supposedly by a mistake when ordering. The group did, however, ask for 1.25 wide RGB modifiers with legends in red, green and royal blue ("RGB").

According to some, "SoWaRa" is supposedly short for "Sorry, It's a Wyse Replica", and spelled for how "SWR" is pronounced in Korean. According to others, it is supposed to read "Sky blue Wyse Replica", because "So" is also the Korean word for "Sky blue".

Round 4 / Retro style

In round 4 there is a "Retro" style that is more of a replica of the SoWaRa than a replica of Wyse's original. The modifier keys are in a darker grey, the function keys are not all dark grey and RGB modifiers are available only by ordering an additional kit.

Adapter kits

Wyse ASCII SP colours

A Moogle kit and a Tsangan kit have been made for Wyse PCE keycaps.

See also

External links

References